Into The Sea

Jixue City in the Northern Region was nestled in an eternal winter, and even within the perpetually snowy Haochen Mountain, only the main peak and Qianyun Peak enjoyed a year-round spring.

Amidst the rolling mountains, Ji Lingyue stood on a towering white jade platform, the swirling clouds within her reach.

She wore a thin white robe, her ink-black hair simply tied back with a ribbon. Her fingers danced, forming a complex seal, and she whispered, “Come forth.”

A golden light flashed, and a small silver fish appeared within the dissipating formation, accompanied by a surprised “Wah!”

Lan Wu blinked, turning in confusion, looking at the curious faces surrounding her, then at Ji Lingyue’s calm expression, her big eyes conveying her bewilderment.

How could she be sleeping soundly one moment and suddenly be summoned here the next?

Ji Lingyue hid a smile and held out her hand, gesturing for her to come closer. “Did everyone see my demonstration clearly?”

The young disciples answered in unison, “Yes!”

Ji Lingyue nodded. She tapped Lan Wu on the forehead, and a golden lotus mark floated out from it.

“After forming a contract, your contracted beasts will bear the mark of their master. Each mark is unique. Only by dissolving the contract will the mark disappear. There are only two ways to dissolve a contract.” She said calmly, “One, the master willingly dissolves it. Two, the master’s death automatically nullifies it, though this severely injures the contracted beast. However, if the contracted beast dies, it doesn’t affect the master.”

Someone asked, “What if the contracted beast tries to kill its master to break the contract?”

Ji Lingyue shook her head. “That rarely happens. If the contracted beast tries to harm its master, it will suffer a backlash.”

“Isn’t that still forcing them into submission?” A female disciple said, “If you encounter a contracted beast that would rather die than obey its master, wouldn’t it end in mutual destruction?”

Ji Lingyue looked at her seriously. “You make a good point. That’s why it’s best to form a good relationship with your contracted beast, to become partners who trust each other. Only then can the contract reach its full potential.”

Another person raised their hand. “Senior Sister, does this also apply to demons?”

She paused. “Yes, it does, though I recommend only contracting with spirit beasts.”

“But isn’t Senior Sister’s contracted beast a demon?”

“Yes,” Ji Lingyue said patiently, “There are certainly demons of pure heart who can become our contracted beasts. However, public perception is equally important. In today’s world, forming a contract with a demon will only lead to more trouble.”

The surrounding disciples exchanged glances, and one of them asked curiously, “Then why did Senior Sister contract a demon?”

Ji Lingyue fell silent, unconsciously lowering her gaze. Lan Wu raised her head to look at her quietly, as if waiting for her answer.

She sighed silently, “Because I was the one who insisted.”

That afternoon, after assigning her junior disciples the task of contracting with spirit beasts, Ji Lingyue hurried back to change clothes, preparing to attend an evening banquet in Jixue City.

When Lan Wu asked about it, she explained, “It’s an invitation from a senior sister I’m close with. It would be rude not to go.”

“Why did she invite you?”

“Probably to celebrate,” she pondered, “She and a senior brother are officially becoming Dao companions. In mortal terms, it’s like they’re getting married. It’s certainly a joyous occasion.”

Lan Wu hummed. She had just swam to Ji Lingyue’s side when Ji Lingyue pushed her away gently. “Don’t come with me this time. I’ll be back early.”

“Alright,” Lan Wu agreed readily, returning to the bed obediently. “I could use some extra sleep anyway.”

Ji Lingyue smiled, picked up the prepared gift from the table, and reminded her, “Don’t wander around.”

Lan Wu yawned lazily, lifting her tail behind her back in response.

She looked at her a few more times before leaving, still feeling uneasy. If that senior sister wasn’t so vehemently opposed to demons, even more so than she was back then, she would have taken Lan Wu with her.

Jixue City was ablaze with lights, and Huailiu Street was bustling with activity. Ji Lingyue jumped off her sword and followed the flow of people. Passing by the Huailiu River, she suddenly noticed a familiar figure.

The person wore a light red dress and was being reluctantly pulled along by a young woman in front, seemingly grumbling about something. Ji Lingyue frowned and silently followed behind them, hearing her complain, “We’ve been walking around all day. What’s the point? Let’s go back.”

“If we go back, you won’t let me see my master. Why should I go back?”

“Look, it’s not like I don’t want you to see her. If your master finds out that I formed a contract with you, she’ll definitely chase me around the mountain with a sword.”

“Then just dissolve the contract.”

“Do you even know where we are right now? If I break it, you’ll be exposed as a demon. You’ll either get killed or get kicked out of here…”

Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Yu Shanye flinched, immediately turning around. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw Ji Lingyue’s cold face staring back at her.

“You— you— you— what are you doing here?!”

Ji Lingyue said calmly, “Don’t worry, Lan Wu didn’t come with me.”

“Ah Yue, Sister Ah Yue!”

Ah Li, on the other hand, looked delighted and rushed over enthusiastically. Ji Lingyue stiffened, not used to the closeness of others, but she didn’t push her away and gently patted her head. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to find my mas…”

“She secretly followed me back!” Yu Shanye quickly interjected. “I already sent her to the South Sea, but after I left, she followed me all the way back to Haochen Mountain. Then she got exposed by the barrier’s detection spell, and if I hadn’t contracted her on the spot, she would’ve been caught by the patrolling disciples.”

Ji Lingyue glanced at her, “Your cultivation is far higher than hers. How did she follow you all the way back without you noticing?”

Yu Shanye was speechless.

She tried to defend herself, “Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.”

Ji Lingyue shook her head. “I can keep it from Lan Wu for now, but you two are too reckless. What were you thinking?”

Yu Shanye visibly relaxed, stammering, “Well, there was no other way…”

“Fine, you better think of a solution quickly,” Ji Lingyue said seriously, “Either send Ah Li back immediately, or be honest with Lan Wu. I have other things to do, so I won’t stay here any longer.”

Yu Shanye nodded eagerly, “Okay, okay.”

Ji Lingyue looked at her helplessly and then said to Ah Li, “And you’re being too reckless. If your master finds out that you’ve been contracted, she’ll be very angry.”

Ah Li pursed her lips and finally asked, “But what’s wrong with forming a contract?”

Ji Lingyue was stunned. After a moment, she said, “You don’t think there’s anything wrong because Yu Shanye has no intention of controlling you. She only formed the contract to protect you…”

Ah Li frowned, unable to resist asking, “What do you mean? Is forming a contract a bad thing? But you and Master have a contract, don’t you? Are you hurting Master?”

Ji Lingyue froze, unconsciously clenching her fists, not knowing how to answer.

Ah Li continued, “My master told me that a contract is just an extra connection between two people. They have to protect each other, help each other, and stay together. Were all those things lies?”